March 11, 2016

A Middle Eastern Feast--in Oregon

This glorious plate of Middle Eastern food was my lunch at Abu's Oasis Deli, a Lebanese and Greek restaurant in Grants Pass, Oregon.

On the left is lamb and onion shawarma that was grilled rather than cooked in the traditional way, on a spit. The onions had caramelized, making the flavor even more rich.

In the center is rice pilaf that includes almonds and browned noodles. Assorted vegetables, pickles, an olive and feta cheese are at the right, and the little cup at the top holds garlic sauce.

At the bottom right is one of the best versions of tabbouleh that I have tasted--a small amount of fine bulgur mixed with parsley, cucumber and tomato and as fresh as if it had just been made. Here is a closer look at it.

Pita bread also came with the lunch, for $12.95. Another optiion is to have a shawarma sandwich (lamb, steak or chicken) in a pita (above).

A nice way to end a meal at Abu's is with Lebanese espresso. The coffee, flavored with cardamom, comes in a long handled pot (jezve) accompanied by tiny black cups.

If I didn't live so far away, I would be a regular at Abu's, like the people in the photo. The menu is long, with vegetarian options and a family size sampler that includes a tremendous variety of food.

Abu's has deli food to go, including falafel, spanakopita, Greek salad and grape leaves. It is also a mini market, with shelves of Middle Eastern ingredients that cost much more than I would pay for them at home in Los Angeles--the advantage of living in a big city with a large and varied Middle Eastern community.

Comments

This glorious plate of Middle Eastern food was my lunch at Abu's Oasis Deli, a Lebanese and Greek restaurant in Grants Pass, Oregon.

On the left is lamb and onion shawarma that was grilled rather than cooked in the traditional way, on a spit. The onions had caramelized, making the flavor even more rich.

In the center is rice pilaf that includes almonds and browned noodles. Assorted vegetables, pickles, an olive and feta cheese are at the right, and the little cup at the top holds garlic sauce.

At the bottom right is one of the best versions of tabbouleh that I have tasted--a small amount of fine bulgur mixed with parsley, cucumber and tomato and as fresh as if it had just been made. Here is a closer look at it.

Pita bread also came with the lunch, for $12.95. Another optiion is to have a shawarma sandwich (lamb, steak or chicken) in a pita (above).

A nice way to end a meal at Abu's is with Lebanese espresso. The coffee, flavored with cardamom, comes in a long handled pot (jezve) accompanied by tiny black cups.

If I didn't live so far away, I would be a regular at Abu's, like the people in the photo. The menu is long, with vegetarian options and a family size sampler that includes a tremendous variety of food.

Abu's has deli food to go, including falafel, spanakopita, Greek salad and grape leaves. It is also a mini market, with shelves of Middle Eastern ingredients that cost much more than I would pay for them at home in Los Angeles--the advantage of living in a big city with a large and varied Middle Eastern community.